Japanese Drugmaker Takeda Reports Strong Performance

Leading Japanese drug producer Takeda has reported positive results for the first three quarters of the fiscal year ending March 2005, as its leading products continue to win global market share. The company also managed to offset currency appreciation in the period, with turnover rising 3.1 percent year-on-year to JPY871.0bn (US$8.31bn).

The company's leading product in the period was its diabetes treatment Actos (pioglitazone), with antihypertensive Blopress (candesartan) and antiulcer agent Takepron also increasing sales. Global revenue from Actos increased by 11 percent to US$145.9bn (US$1.39bn), and revenue on Blopress grew 9.2 percent to JPY116.3bn (US$1.11bn). The performance of both drugs was boosted by strong sales in Japan, although generic and rival ethical competition impacted the performance of Takepron and prostate cancer drug leuproline in the US and overseas.

Meanwhile, the company's R&D pipeline appears strong, with TAK-375, a novel treatment for insomnia reported to have a low addiction risk, moving to Phase III clinical trials in Japan. Additionally, Blopress was approved as a treatment for chronic heart failure in Europe, although trials on a potential treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease were discontinued. R&D expenses fell 6.5 percent to JPY85.4bn (US$815.04mn) in the period.